The Panthers recently added to their linebacking corps with the addition of Cory Littleton. A mainstay at the position from last season could very well be on the move, however. CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora reports that Jermaine Carter has generated a significant market for himself (Twitter link).
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Specifically, La Canfora states that Carter is “drawing interest from a multitude of teams”. The 27-year-old was a fifth-round pick of Carolina in 2018. His role has grown with each passing season, as he’s transitioned more from a special-teamer to a defensive starter. He was on the field for 78% of the unit’s snaps in 2021.
That increased playing time, not surprisingly, led to a career year in terms of production. Carter totalled 88 tackles, along with one fumble recovery and one pass breakup. His career arc has been timed well, as he is an unrestricted free agent immediately following that breakout campaign.
The Maryland product could field any number of offers from teams looking for upside at the position. Interestingly, the Panthers are currently listed among the teams with the most cap space in hand, so a return is still a possibility, at least from a financial standpoint. With significant money already invested in Shaq Thompson and the signing of Littleton, however, Carter could soon find a new home as he looks to cash in on his recent improvement.